Deep in the Qinling Mountains, the Jinmi village of Zhashui county has completely transformed since the arrival of the wood-ear fungus industry.

As harvest season approaches, wood-ear buyers and tourists are flocking to the village in Xiaoling township of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province.

Wood-ear fields in Jinmi village of Northwest China's Shaanxi Province on April 21, 2020

Jinmi was once a place of inconvenient transportation and scarce arable land. There was an official poverty incidence rate of 21.9 percent in 2015.

It is said the village's Chinese name- Jinmi- literally "gold and rice," reflected a shared aspiration of residents.

As Zhashui county started to develop its wood-ear industry in 2018, Jinmi seized the opportunity. Villagers saw wood-ear greenhouses being built and learned to cultivate the jelly fungi thanks to one-on-one technical guidance.

Professionals and experts were invited to train farmers in how to punch holes, hang bags, pick and dry wood-ear. They explained how to water and ventilate the Auriculariales fungus used primarily in Chinese cuisine.

The little black fungus, sometimes known as wood jellyfish or tree jellyfish, has opened the door to a wealthy life for Jinmi villagers.

In February 2020, Zhashui county officially rid itself of poverty. The wood-ear industry boosted the incomes of poverty-stricken families in Jinmi.

President Xi Jinping visits Jinmi village training center on April 20, 2020 and learns about the development of the wood-ear industry.

On April 20, 2020, President Xi Jinping visited Jinmi and went to the village exhibition center to work as a special live-stream salesman for wood-ear.

During the live broadcast, Xi praised the product as "small wood-ear, big industry." The next day about 20 million internet users snapped up 24 tons of Zhashui wood-ear products.

Xi noted that e-commerce was an emerging business of great potential which could promote sales of agricultural products, help rural residents shake off poverty and facilitate rural vitalization.

On that day, many reposted Xi's online video and photos on their social media, noting he was a most convincing salesman.

During his inspection, Xi talked with villagers about daily wood-ear yields, farming techniques and incomes.

President Xi Jinping chats with farmers in a greenhouse in Jinmi village on April 20, 2020.

"President Xi cares so much about the people of the mountainous areas, how can we not work hard?" said Xiao Qingsong.

Xiao used to work outside the village but was persuaded to return home for the wood-ear.

"I cultivated wood-ear fungus in the field at first and later in the contracted wood-ear greenhouses," Xiao said. "My life is getting better."

Chen Qinghai used to be a poor farmer. Now he runs a marketing center for agricultural products.

"Selling wood-ear has greatly increased my income," Chen said. "With the money earned, my family bought a car and opened a store. Our lives have seen much improvement."

More people in Zhashui county are opening online wood-ear stores. There were more than 170 e-commerce operators in 2020. Twenty-one online and offline collaborative stores have been set up for sales promotion and poverty alleviation.

A saleswoman promotes Zhashui wood-ear via live-stream at an exhibition center in Jinmi on July 21, 2020.

In 2020, the per capita disposable income of Jinmi villagers reached 11,000 yuan ($1,718). Residents have realized their dreams of shaking off poverty to lead better lives.

(Translated by Dong Feng and Luo Tianya; Edited by Xie Wanrong)